Means for locating a train and instructing it to take a siding



Oct. 13, 1931. A. B. KENDALL 1,327,020

nuns FORLOCATING A TRAIN AND INSTRUCTING IT 'ro TAKE A SIDING Filed Oct. 3, 1927 Sid/n9.

I M I hyen for Patented Oct. 13, 1931 I STATE PA TENr oFFics ALLEN n. KENDALL, on mAYwoon, rumors, ASSIGNOR TO AIRCHIBHALD'G. snavnn, or cnrcaeo, ILLINOIS 1 :MEANS non LooA'rmo A T IN nn ms'rnuc'rmeicr T wanna srnmo I Application filed October 3, 1927. Serial No. 223,663.

2 This invention relates to improvements in means for locatinga train and instructing it to take a siding.

When itfis necessary 5 as a freight train, to take a-siding in order that a passenger train, for example, may pass it, and wherefisuch passing points are notvin accordance with the time card, it is the present general practice for the train dispatcher to issue written orders to the trains concerned to pass at a certain siding. The issuing of these orders consumes considerable time. Usua lly the orders are given by the dispatcher, to localoperators who del ver themto the trains, which practice: requires the trainsto stop or slow down, ,1 a

Also, in the present railroad practice, if the dispatcher wishes to get the location of a train, hecommunicates with the local oper-' 0 ator at the station near. which the train is supposed to be. Often the replyof theoperator is that'the train has passed by, or it 1 is in sight, or there' is no information concerning it; all of which is more or less indefinite. Consequentlythe train dispatcher is usually notable tofigure definitely on close meeting pointsand considerable time. is lost in the movement of the trains over the division. W,

v 7 It is the general object oft-his invention to provide an electrically operated system whereby the dispatcher himself may locate thetrains to fix their passing point, and then direct one of them by appropriate signal indication to take the siding at the passing point. This is accomplished without the aid and cooperation of local operators and without delaying the train to receive written orders. Y c v Another object ofthe invention is to provide means enabling the dispatcher to-not' for one train, such rear end of the train passes the signal, when the displayxis automaticallywithdrawn.

Other objects and advantages relate to the saving of time and minimizing-0t responsibilities of the dispatcher in that, with this system and apparatus for locating'a train and giving it aftake siding? signalindication, the dispatcher does not need to withdraw the take siding signal as soon as the train for 7 I which .it is intended has passed, nor becon-r cerned that a following train will accept its indication. a r

In the accompanying drawing, one embod iment of the invention represented diagrammatically, and shows I a section of railroad, wit h signals, vcircuits, relays and other devices; s Y' T hetrain locating and direction indicating means comprises a circuit'containing fixed resistances at different points, in series with a battery and an indicating instrument. The fixed resistances are associated with the different .tracl': circuit sections in such a way that as the trainmovesalong, Ione resistance after-another is eliminated from or added to the circuit, which causes the reading of the train indicator or indicating instrument in the dispatchers office to 1 change correspond ingly, thus showing the direction and location ofthe train. p I I p In' the diagram, E,'E areithe rails of the track, dividedinto sections, S1, S2, S3, etc, each section constituting a track circuit with, a batteryTBl, TB2, T133 etc., and a relay T1, T2, T3,"etc. SW is the main track switch leading to the siding. represents one of'a series of signals installed on the railroad. TS is a take siding? signal which for convenience is shown as 'ofthe semaphore type and located on the mast with signal H;

R1, R2, R3, etc, are resistances, preferably of equal value, associated withthe correspondin'gly numbered track circuits, as here inai'ter explained, v

The normal circuit forthe train indicator EV, starting from the battery O may be traced through conductor 1, and the dis patcher selector line Dl through conductor 2 resistance R1, conductor "3, "resistance R2, 6

3 drops its contact 16-when a train enters section S3, and by means of conductors 5 and 18, short circuits resistances R1, R2 and R3.

Relay T4 also drops its contact 17 at a later period and closes local circuit, conductors 6 and 18, cutting out all four resistances, R1, R2, R3 andlththe resistance R5 remaining in the circuit with the indicator throughout. The train indicator EV is similar to an ,ammeter, and as the resistance in circuit therewith decreases in the manner just described, the hand of-the instrument moves successive steps in the same direction, for example, to the right in the arrangement shown in the diagram where the train is moving from left to right. If the train is moving in the opposite direction, the minimum resistance is in series with the indicator at the outset, said resistance building up by suc cessive steps and causing the indicator hand to move to the left. The indicator, therefore, indicates not only the direction in which the train is moving, but it displays also during the time consumed by the train in passing over a particular section so that the approximate average rate of speed may be deter mined.

In the operation of the system the dispatcherlooks at his indicator and if it registers 1, he knows a train is in section S1; if 2 the train is in section S2; etc. Knowu'ng the length of the sections, and observing the time between successive changes of the instrument, he can readily determine the average soeed. If the indicator hand moves from 3 to 2 to 1, the dispatcher knows that the train is travelling in the opposite direction from that just assumed.

The means for signalling the train will now be described:

SP is a switching relay in which there are the usual electro-magnet 19 and circuit contacts as 20, controlled by 19, and a rotating device or tooth connnutator 21., alternately bridging contacts 22 and 23 interposing resistance between the same to open and close the circuit. 7 The arm 24. which is fastened to the armature of relay SP, is controlled by electro-magnet 19 and operates the commutator 21 every time the electro-magnet 19 is energized. As shown in the diagram, contacts 2223 are bridged by the insulation, and the circuit is open. When 19 is energized, arm 24: steps 21 around so that contacts 22-23 are bridged by the conductor part of 21, closing the circuit. \Vhen 19 is again energized the insulating part of" 21 is stepped forward so the circuit is opened.

SL is a selector like those in general use for train dispatching- When the dispatcher operates the code key corresponding to selec tor SL, the latter is operated to close its circuit contact 25, and thus close the circuit to the switching relay.

Selector SL is energized from a source of energy in the dispatchers oflice by being connected across conductors D1 andD2 by conductors 26 and Switching relay SP is energized ina cir-- cuit including contact when closed,.conductor 28, battery B, conductor 29,coil 19 and conductor 30; J:-.

Control relay 0 is of the stick type, that is, it is so designed as to hold itself closed after being energized. It is first energized in a circuit comprising battery A, conductor 31, contact 32, conductor 33, magnet'coil G,

conductor 34;, contact 20 closed, conductor 35, contact 22 When C isenergized it closes its contact 37, sticking itself in a circuit as above except conductor 3S, contact 37 and conduc or 38 r place contact 20 and conductor 34. Relay C as hereinafter er'zplained is controlled par tially by a circuit including the normally open contact .0 and conductors 11 and L2."

signal The circuit for the take siding TS, as shown, has to be closed to display It comprises battery A, conductor-s31; and: 4-3 to any suitable operating means for'TS, con ductor 44, contact 4-5 closed and conduct-cr ed.

The take siding signal TS is located so as to be passed before the switch is reached;

It is caused to be displayed by the dispatcher operating the appropriate selector in his'tele-' phone selective system. It is also controlled by the track circuit system. It hel'd"'displayed until. the train for which it is intended has passed by, when the presence of the train on the track causes the signal to be with drawn. After causing the signal to be dis played, the dispatcher may also withdraw it by again operating the selector.

Assuming the train is bound toward X, is in section S1 and the dispatcher wants-it to pass another train at he operates the selector SL to close its contacts 25 which en ergizes switching relay SP for a short interval closing contacts 2223 a nd 20. The closing of these latter contacts energizes control-re; lay C which causes the take 'siding' -signal' to display. The engineman on' seeing "the signal immediately prepares to enter the" siding through the switch SYV. V i

It is important that the conductor new rear of the train also sees the takesiding 23 closed and conductor 36.

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s-i'gfial isplayed. anemia-e, as 'alre'ady exself.

Contact 32openswhe1i thetra'in advances" into section Sfiand de energizesrelay T2but it cannot be effective 1n ole-energizing control relayC and thus efi'ectingthe Withdrawal of ,takef'siding signal; TS till 4 contact 40 in parallelwvithit, andwhich' is closed as long ais the'train'is in section S1, is, openedjand contact 40 cannot open till thetrain is Wholly out of section Sl. x In the ,case ofyan-ordinary take sid ng 1 signal arrangement, the dispatcher "being busyjmig'ht forgetto with raw the take siding?"si-gnal and its message would betransmitted to some train for Whichjit is not 1n' tended, causingdelay and inconvenience in the arrangement herefshoivn'this cannot happen. 7 After displa ing; the signal to the train for'whicih it is intended. itis automat vithdrar'vii-by the passing of said If the, switch SW, is handfoperated, the train mu st stopf for a member of crew to operate itilfthe'switch is controlled from thetrain' s show n for example in the applic'ati'on' forpatent Serial #198,824iyfil6d by AQGflShaver June 14, 1927, orif it-is operated by some otherage'ncyflhe train will proceed into the siding Without stopping. T A ,he traiuindicatorsy'stem as illustrated is applied 'to a' 'smallfp ortion-o'it .a rail vay line fit should. be understood that. itmay be applied to an entire division." Or it may be applied to a section ofrline and'ihe indicating instrument E located in a tower or local telegraph ofiice T The present invention is to be understood as applicable to single as Well as double track and in other respects also as not lmntedto the present disclosure. For example, 111- stead of resistances, a series of batteries may be used in conjunction with corresponding track sections, said batteries being of different voltages to change the reading of the 1ndicating instrument correspondingly, 0r, 1f they are of the same voltage, their combined volta es causes a variation in the flow of current t o operate the instrument.

What I claim is:

1. The combination with a track having insulated sections, each with abatteryand a relay controlled thereby and by the passing of a train, of a series of resistances, each controlled by one of saidrelays, and an indicating instrument inseries with said resistances whereby the latter may be short circuited successively by a moving train to cause a predetermined reading of said instrument corresponding to the location of said train.

2. The combination with a track having in sulat ed sections, each with a battery and a re- 1 lay controlled thereby and by the passing of a train, of a series of resistances, each controlled by one of said relays, and an indicating instrument in series with said resistances cuit orcut into eircuitby a trainmoving' in one direction or the other, to cause predetermined readlngs of said instrument corresponding to the location of'said train and as ail-indication train? a a 3. In a system adapted for determining the location and direction or travel of a railroad of the direction of travel of said train,"a circuit, including'resistances, a source of energy, an indicating instrument, and track ClrClllt means for shunting the IBSlSiF ances from said circuit to change the read ings ofsa d lndlcatlng instrument 4Q In a system 'for indicating the location ot'a railroadtraimthe combination of a series'of trackc rcuits, each with a relay controlling a clrcu tfc'ontact, and a line circuit comprising a series of resistances, a source of energy and an indicating instrument, said jconta'ct' operatingftoj shunt out resistances from said line circuit Whenever atrain is in the track clr'cult controlling-the relay.

5. In a train indlc'atlng system, the comb1-- whereby said resistances may be cut out of cirnation of a circuit comprising a seriesof re-' sistance's', a source of enregy, an indicating crating instrument.

tion, a stretch of track for; a. train, track section circuits in said stretch each including a relay operated by the train, means including said relays for causing the indicating instrument of said system to register increasingly for one direction of movement of the train and to registerdecreasingly for the opposite direction ofmovement of said train, 7, An electrical train indicating system comprisingaseries of track circui ts,,anj indicator circuit'com jrisinga source of current and electrical resistance; and relays controlledby the track circuits and in turn controlling said electrical resistance to vary the amount thereof in saidiiididzit'or circuit.

8. In an electrical train indicating system the combination of a circuit containing electriea-lresist'ance, a source of energy andan indicating instrument, With a railroad-track andtra-in operated circuit controlling devices instrument, and means, controlled'by the movement of the. train, for-"shunting said resistances to vary the reading of said 'indiits iio

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thereon to vary theamount of'said resistance to eat jse the indication of the indicating in'-- circuits as the] train passes through the stretch for varying the electrical character istics of said circuit, and an indicating instrument in said circuit responsive to said variations. i

.10. In a system adapted for determining the location and direction of travel of a railroad train, a circuit including resistances, a source of energy, an indicating instrument, and track circuit means controlled by the train for either adding or subtracting resistances in said circuit, depending upon the direction of travel of the train, to change the readings of said indicating instrument.

11. In a system adapted for determining the location and direct-ion of travel of a rail- & road train in combination, acircuit comprising resistance, a source of energy and an indicating instrument, train operated circuit controllers arranged so as to be effective to vary the resistance of the circuit to progressivelydecrease the reading of the indicating instrument for one direction of travel of the train and to progressively increase the read ing of the indicating instrument for the opposite direction of travel of the train.

12. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track, means in a circuit electrically separated from said track, but controlled by'the progress of the train over said track for varying the electrical characteristics of said circuit, and

an indicating instrument in said circuit responsive to said variations.

13. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train in a stretch of track, a circuit insulated from said track, a source of energy in said circuit, means associated withsaid circuit, controlled by the presence of the train in. said stretch, varying the electric current strength in said circuit, and means in said circuit responsive to the variations in said current strength.

14. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train in a stretch of track, the combination comprising, a circuit electrically isolated from said track, devices associated with said circuit, controlled automatically by the progress of the train through said stretch, varying the electrical characteristics of said circuit, and means in said circuit, responsive to the variations in said electrical characteristics, indicating the location of the train in said stretch.

. 15. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track for the train divided into sections, a circuit electrically isolated from said track, devices in said circuit, one for each section, changing the electrical characteristics of the circuit when any of said sections is occupied by the train, and means in said circuit responsive to said electrical characteristic changes.

16. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track for the train divided into sections, a circuit electrically separated from said track, a device connected with said circuit for eachsection, each of said devices, when operated by a train in its section, automatically afi'ecting the chair trical characteristics of said circuit difi'erently, and means in said circuit responsive to the changes of the electrical characteristics of said circuit.

17 In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track for the train divided into sections, a circuit insulated from said track, a device associated with said circuit for each section, each of said devices, when operated by a train in its respective section, changing said circuit differently, and means in said circuit responsive to the changes in said circuit.

18. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track fol the train divided into sections, a circuit insulated from said track, means connected to said circuit-for each section controllable by a train in said section for changing the characteristics of said circuit, the means for adjacent sections, when controlled, being adapted to aifect said circuit dilferently, and means in said circuit responsive to changes in said characteristics.

19. In a system for determining the location of a railroad train, a stretch of track for the train divided into sections, a circuit electrically separated from said track, asource .6

of energy in said circuit, means connected with said circuit for each section controllable by a train in said section for changing the current in said circuit, the means for adjacent sections, when controlled, being adapted to change said current differently, and means in said circuit responsive to said current and said current as changed.

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name.

ALLEN B. KENDALL. 

